“How is it?” she asked.
“Excellent, which bodes well not only for the evening, but for the investment.” His voice was so level she actually wondered if he’d forgotten that he’d told her to take her panties off. It was just as well. For now. Her earlier thoughts were weighing on her, and although she didn’t want to spoil the mood, the conversation she’d started before the waiter arrived needed to happen sooner rather than later. Might as well get it out of the way so they could enjoy the rest of the night.
After a few more bites she broached the topic again. “Hudson, there’s something we need to discuss.”
He paused with a forkful of risotto midair. “Judging by your tone, I’m assuming the topic is not your current lack of undergarments.”
So he did remember. “No.” She smiled. “Although we should address that as well.”
His fingertips brushed the hem of her skirt. The unexpected touch made her jump.
“You were saying?” he asked, his fingers pushing the fabric of her pencil skirt higher. He continued eating with his right hand, his expression curious and sincere and giving no indication as to what his left hand was doing under the table.
“We need to talk about Ingram.”
Hudson lifted a dark brow. Below the table he began tracing circles on her knee. “You really want to discuss business now?”
“Not business per se. More us. And how this,” she motioned between the two of them, “will affect business.”
“I don’t see as how this should have any effect on the business.” He smirked. “Well, aside from the obvious perks.”
“Perks?”
His fingers stroked the underside of her knee. “Hmm, working late at the office will certainly be more enjoyable.”
He was missing the point. Allie took a deep breath and went for it. “I’m not letting you sell the newspaper, Hudson. No matter how many times you make me come.”
The hand below the table pushed her skirt even higher, letting cool air rush against her overheated skin. “I would expect nothing less.”
Allie covered his hand with hers, halting its smooth glide up her thigh. “I’m serious, Hudson. I know I’m not qualified for this job, and most of them see me as just some spoiled heiress who should be happy cutting ribbons and playing tennis, but I’m trying really hard to learn everything I can about Ingram, and in the process maybe earn a little respect from the board. I can’t have our relationship undermine that.”
Hudson’s gaze softened and the hand below the table squeezed hers. “Allie, I assure you I would never do anything to undermine you, either in the bedroom or the boardroom. And while I wouldn’t call you unqualified, you were certainly dropped into this position through unusual, not to mention stressful, circumstances. Yet you’ve flourished. The sheer volume of material you’ve had to absorb over the past month would overwhelm even the most seasoned executive, and you’ve not only risen to the occasion but managed to best me in the process, something that doesn’t happen often.” His lips curved in a ghost of a smile. “But it was clear you’d done your homework. You presented a case based on nostalgia but backed with hard facts. And your revenue replacement plan was cutting edge. It didn’t surprise me in the least when you were able to sway the necessary votes your direction. And while I certainly hope to lay you out on that conference table some night when the two of us are burning the midnight oil, I am nearly as intrigued by the idea of facing off on the multitude of topics on which I’m sure we will disagree.” He raised their linked hands to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss to her wrist. “I am in love with you, Alessandra, and impressed by you more often than you know.”
Allie didn’t think she could ever love him more than she did at that moment.
“Did that address your concerns?” he asked. His tone was gentle and warm, perfectly matching the look in his eyes.
She nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
“Very well.” He smiled, then checked his watch. “Then for now, Madam CEO, I’d like to make a motion that we table any discussions pertaining to business. I have a surprise for you and it’s set to begin any minute.”
He stood, and with their hands still clasped, led her to the window. When they reached the glass he tugged her to stand in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist. As if on cue, two rockets of light soared into the air, exploding in a canopy of red and gold over Navy Pier.
Allie gasped. “Fireworks?”
“Do you like them?”
She turned in his arms. “I love them.”
Hudson dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Then watch,” he said, nodding toward the glass. His hand splayed across her belly, pulling her tight against him, his erection prodding her backside.
“You’re hard for me,” she said.
“Always,” he murmured, his lips drifting up her neck. When he reached her ear he nipped at the lobe. “And you, are you wet for me, Allie?”
“Maybe you should feel for yourself.” Her soft voice sounded desperate and needy, but she didn’t care. His breath in her ear, his lips on her skin . . . it was too much after hours of foreplay and dinner sans panties. She needed his hands on her and she didn’t care who might walk in and see them.
His left hand slipped into the open V of her wrap blouse, kneading her breast, while the right slid down the front of her skirt. A low, sexy sound vibrated through his chest when his fingers encountered her slick flesh. “You’re soaked for me and I haven’t even touched you yet.” He teased her, tugging her hardened nipple between the fingers of one hand while circling her quivering opening with the other. “Do you want me inside you, Allie? Are you aching to feel my fingers and my cock?”
“God yes,” she moaned. She wanted him to take her right there, to fuck her hard from behind with her bare breasts pressed against the cold glass.
“You’re a naughty girl, Alessandra.”
“Only for you,” she panted, her breath fogging the glass in front of her. “Only for you.” It was true. For her entire life she’d been the quintessential good girl. But being with Hudson brought out a side of her she never knew existed. With him she was wild and wanton. No one could elicit the reaction from her body that he did. They were made for each other.
He eased a finger inside. “You’re so ready for me.”
She was. She was on fire for him, her body responding to every skillful stroke of his finger. But it wasn’t enough. Turning her head, she pressed her cheek to his. “More. I need more.”
He squeezed her swollen breast and added a second finger. “Is this what you need?”
“Yes,” she hissed. She was so close. Her hips churned, riding his hand as she chased the orgasm building inside her.
On the other side of the glass, sparkling canopies of blue-and-green light reflected over the dark lake. While inside the room her body trembled, clenching around his fingers as he pumped them in and out of her, again and again.
The buzz from the champagne mixed with her overwhelming desire. In front of her, the finale began. One explosion after the other filling the night sky with a kaleidoscope of color. She leaned her head against Hudson’s shoulder, surrendering to the rhythm of his unrelenting fingers.
His teeth grazed her neck. “Don’t come,” he breathed against her ear. “I want to be inside you when you do.” The sky above the lake grew dark as his movements slowed, bringing her back from the brink. When his hand fell away she nearly whimpered. “I think it’s time I take you home.”
The man was evil. Pure, sexy as hell, evil.
But she knew he was just as turned on as she was, and as she retied her blouse, she wondered if they’d actually make it back to his penthouse. In the elevator, with their fingers entwined as they undressed each other with their eyes, she was pretty sure they wouldn’t. And when the limo door swung shut, cocooning them in total darkness, she knew they didn’t stand a chance.